When it comes to cancer, the earlier it is caught, the greater the chances of survival. Unfortunately, people tend to ignore some early warnings signs, waiting until the problems get especially bad before seeing a doctor.
Here are some early warning signs of cancer that you shouldn’t ignore. If you have any of these, see your doctor right away.
1) Persistent Cough
Typically, a cough is just a sign of a cold or allergies. That’s why people tend to ignore a persistent cough, thinking it’s something minor. By the time they get to the doctor, it may be too late.
It’s important to look for other signs if you have a cough that won’t seem to go away. Things like unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, or coughing up blood are signs that you need to make an appointment to be seen by a healthcare professional.
2) Skin Neoplasms
Neoplasms are strange tissue growths that appear on the body, frequently due to cancer. Because people don’t know what they are and often confuse them with a bruise, they may wait to see a doctor. That’s a mistake. If you notice an unexplained growth on your body, see a doctor immediately.
These growths are typically found in the area where the cancer is forming. They can be found on breasts, in armpits, or on the thyroid, to name just a few. If there’s a wet ulcer on the neoplasm, that’s an especially bad sign.
3) Changes in Bowel Movements
All of us have stomach issues from time to time that are perfectly normal parts of human digestion. Some changes, however, are indicators that there could be cancer in the lower gastrointestinal tract.
Signs that you need to see a doctor include blood in your stool, a mucus discharge accompanying your bowel movements, or spontaneous defecation. If you have noticed these problems and can’t think of anything you may have eaten that could cause these issues, see your doctor.
4) Abrupt Weight Loss
If you suddenly drop weight and you’re not sure what caused it, you need to see a doctor right away. This is a tell-tale sign that you may have a serious medical problem, including cancer.
Other signs that you may have stomach cancer can include feeling disgusted when thinking about food, feeling full even though you’ve only eaten a little bit, and difficulty passing food through your bowels. If you have these symptoms, you need to talk to your doctor.
5) Secretions When Urinating
If you notice anything coming out of your body other than urine while using the restroom, you need to see a doctor. This could be a sign that you have kidney cancer.
Signs of kidney cancer include blood in the urine, chronic weakness, pain in the kidneys, and hypertension. When you notice one or more of these problems, tell your doctor.
6) Persistent Sore Throat
This one is tough to catch because sore throats are so common with many other health problems. This causes people to ignore it, not realizing it may be a sign of cancer.
If you feel a lump or growth in your throat, have difficulty swallowing, have hoarseness or a lost voice, or have halitosis along with your sore throat, talk to your doctor.